The concepts of “langue” and “parole” were introduced by the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure and are foundational to structural linguistics. These concepts help distinguish between the underlying system of a language and its actual use in concrete instances. Let’s delve into the definitions of “langue” and “parole,” along with examples to illustrate these concepts:
Langue:
- Definition:
“Langue” refers to the underlying structure or system of a language. It represents the abstract, rule-governed system that enables speakers of a language to produce and interpret an infinite number of utterances. Langue is a synchronic concept, focuses on the language system at a specific point in time.
- Definition:
• Characteristics of Langue:
- Langue is shared by the members of a linguistic community.
- It is the implicit knowledge of the language’s rules and structures.
- Langue is stable and relatively resistant to change in the short term.
Examples of Langue:
- Consider the grammatical rules governing English word order in declarative sentences. The subject-verb-object (SVO) order is a feature of English langue. The sentence “The cat chased the mouse” follows this grammatical structure, and speakers of English intuitively understand and produce sentences adhering to these rules.
2. Parole:
• Definition:
“Parole” refers to the actual, concrete instances of language use by individual speakers. It is the manifestation of the underlying langue in real-time speech or writing. Parole is a diachronic concept, considering language as it unfolds over time in specific instances of communication.
